10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
www.deltacollegiate.com
November 20, 2018
McAlear-Sawden students find the yellow brick road
CAST Dorothy Toto Scarecrow/ Hunk Tin Man/ Hickory Cowardly Lion/ Zeke Wicked Witch/ Miss Gulch Glinda/ Auntie E Wizard of Oz/ Professor Marvel Uncle Henry/ Oz Guard/ Doorman
Abigail Kuhns Caroline Temple Robert Heyart Ryan McConnell Coby Vitany Ashley Chapman Ashley Higgins Weston Smith Walker Wenzel
The Lollipop Guild
McAlear-Sawden Elementary Students
Directed by
Beth Heyart
Young performers bring 'Wizard of Oz' to Delta College Ryan Reichard • Reporter
UNIVERSITY CENTER — On Friday, Nov. 9, students from McAlear-Sawden Elementary School joined Delta College students and community members in a new rendition of the Hollywood classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Director Beth Heyart decided on the iconic film for a couple different reasons. “First, the show is well known, appeals to all ages and most people are familiar with the plot” says Heyart. “The other reason we chose this musical was due to a partnership with McAlear-Sawden Elementary School. We partnered with them to produce a version of ‘Christmas Carol’ called ‘Bah Humbug!’ back in December 2016. The McAlear students have been working hard along with our adult cast to create the magical land of Oz. This is a unique partnership and allows a new generation to experience theater first hand.” As part of this production, Heyart was able to utilize some of the recent upgrades to the Delta College lecture theater, making for a more enticing and elaborate theater experience. “The lecture theater had upgrades to the curtain track system that now allows
us to use backdrops for the first time. [...] This has dramatically changed the way we are doing our show,” explains Heyart. Since many of the performers in the play were younger, Heyart decided to make use of the Young Performers Edition of the play, which shortens the run time while keeping many of the important details that made the original “Wizard of Oz” so memorable. “We decided to produce the Young Performers Edition of the script,” says Heyart. “This version is about half the length of the full musical. We felt that school groups that typically come to our morning shows would appreciate a show that lasted only an hour and 20 minutes. We also felt that this would be better for our blended cast of elementary students and adults to perform.” The audience seemed to agree, letting out a rousing round of applause after each act. When the play had finished, many audience members were on their feet in support of the actors with resounding praise. “I thought it was really good,” says Dayna Kelly, an audience member. “I have never been to [a play] before and I really enjoyed it.” Another audience member, Matt Kemp, echoed Kelly’s statements. “I thought the kids did a good job,” says Kemp.
Jaylie Dice • Photo Editor
The Wicked Witch of West (Ashley Chapman) promises to make Dorothy (Abigail Kuhns) and her little dog Toto (Caroline Temple) pay for killing her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. Nov. 9, 2018, University Center.